NMPS New and Returning Staff
From Gabi, Assistant Principal
Welcome to new staff
Sarah Thwaites (Prep B)
Hello! I am very much looking forward to working with the wonderful Prep B students and their families this year. After my undergraduate studies, I completed a Master of International Politics and more recently a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary). I have previously worked in policy development within the Victorian Government and in not-for-profit organisations with a social justice focus here in Melbourne and in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I have also had the privilege of previously working with children in Kindergarten and primary schools. I have two beautiful children, aged 7 and 9, and we love to bake, play and read together. I'm really looking forward to meeting you all and being a part of the team here at NMPS!
Jonathan Mercer (Prep C)
My name is Jonny and I am a new Prep teacher at the Molesworth Campus. I have been teaching in the UK for seven years and moved here last September, so I'm relatively new to Australia. I’m excited to be joining the North Melbourne Primary community and would like to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome. I love reading, cycling and running and I'm looking forward to the start of the footy season, as it's a new sport for me. See you out and about!
Joey Li (1B)
Hello everyone! I'm from China and moved to Melbourne 10 years ago. This is my first year teaching in the school setting, and I feel super excited to join the North Melbourne Primary School. I have received a warm welcome from the community. Previously, I worked as an Early Childhood Teacher in a community centre and kindergarten, where I validated and refined my passion for working with children. I enjoy snowboarding, tennis and food from all over the world. I look forward to an amazing year with my year one students and getting to know many of you around the school.
Tessa Patrao (1E)
Hello! I'm excited to teach 1E this year! I have been teaching for 7 years and I love it! My favourite things to do are reading and relaxing in the park, going swimming at the beach or rivers and learning to sew! I'm looking forward to being part of the NMPS community!
Richard Smith (5D)
Hello! I am one of the new Year 5 teachers at NMPS. I have been teaching for eight years and was working at Carlton Gardens Primary School for the past four years. I grew up in England and moved to Melbourne five years ago from London. I enjoy playing sports, cooking and camping. I'm looking forward to having an amazing year in Year 5!
Georgia Perkins (6A)
Hello North Melbourne Primary School community. I am super excited to be teaching 6A this year. I was born in Ireland and I moved to Australia when I was eight years old, growing up in country Victoria. I am trained as a primary and secondary teacher, and my background is in Performing Arts so I love anything drama, music, or musical theatre. This is my first year teaching, and I already feel so welcomed by the NMPS community. Looking forward to seeing what 2024 brings!
Ailis Meade (3B)
I am a new teacher at NMPS and I am originally from Ireland. I have taught in schools both in Dublin and in Melbourne, most recently at Strathmore Primary School. I have lived in Australia for the last five years and I love it here! I am really looking forward to being a part of the NMPS school community in 2024.
Tessa Ellwood (2C)
Hi I’m Tess! I am originally from the south coast of NSW but I moved to Melbourne in 2016. I love to get outdoors in nature and enjoy kite surfing and hiking in Wilson’s Promontory.
Favourite Colour: Lilac
Favourite subject to teach: OLA- Geography
Favourite dessert: Lemon tart
Favourite book: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Welcome back returning staff
Kate Morris (1C) - Year 1 PLT Facilitator
Hello! I’m a Year 1 teacher at NMPS. I taught at NMPS in 2021 and 2022 and am very excited to be back! I love exploring new places on weekends, running, and learning new things. I am really looking forward to this year in 1C.
Emma Lawrence (2A) (M-W)
Hi there! My name is Emma and I’m excited to be returning to NMPS after taking a break to have my son, Julian. This year, I’ll be teaching 2A from Monday to Wednesday. In my spare time, you can find me reading, cycling, listening to podcasts, getting outside to the park and exploring all that Melbourne has to offer. I’m looking forward to reconnecting and being involved in the school community again.
Natalie Apostolidis (5C)
Hello! I am excited to be back at NMPS and teaching 5C. I know many students from the Year 5 cohort as I taught some of them in Year 1 and briefly in Year 3 so it’s lovely to see some familiar faces! I am a big foodie and in my free time I like cooking, eating, and trying new restaurants. I enjoy travelling and last year I was lucky enough to visit Paris, Italy, Singapore, Sydney, Tasmania and South Australia. Looking forward to seeing you around NMPS!
Helen Benjamin (Graduate Mentor)
Hello everyone! My name is Helen and I am excited to be returning to NMPS following a period of parental leave. It is lovely to see lots of familiar faces and meet lots of new ones as well. I am looking forward to my new role this year, working as a mentor to graduate and new staff. I love gardening, cooking and reading but spend most of my time running around after a very active young toddler!
Also welcome to Sally Pye (3E), Ava McLaughlin (4E), Seda Seeley (Education Support) and Heyam Alqaisi (Education Support) will be featured next newsletter.